CATEGORIES
Please tick one or more of the options below to filter your search.
2026 Summer Drink Menu Ideas
Summer is coming. Is your drinks menu ready?
65% of consumers say they enjoy trying new seasonal items, and 7 in 10 are likelier to visit venues with rotating seasonal drinks (Technomic 2023; Mintel).
Summer 2026 is the ideal moment to refresh your drinks menu. As temperatures rise, customers naturally crave beverages that feel refreshing, exciting, and perfectly in tune with the season. So whether you’re a cafe, coffee shop, dessert bar or mobile operator, a strong seasonal menu can give you the edge this summer.
Hot Honey Iced Chocolate
Trending Summer Flavours
This summer, take your menu to the next level with trending flavours on social media – think matcha, ube, swicy, pecan and cherry. These bold, Instagram-worthy choices capture attention and drive curiosity, especially among younger consumers.
With 70% of Gen Z turning to TikTok for food and drink inspiration, compared to just 53% of the general population (AHDB, 2024). Social media is a major driver of what’s hot right now. From indulgent matcha mashups to globally inspired frappes, creative seasonal drinks don’t just help you stay relevant, they also offer a great way to reimagine ingredients you already have, cutting down on waste and boosting profit margins.
Take a look at our trending drinks designed to make a splash this summer:
We have so many more fun and trendy drink ideas in our latest Spring/Summer Magazine – download here!
Blueberry Cloud Iced Matcha
Matcha Moments
Consumers today are increasingly drawn to functional drinks – whether it’s for energy, focus, or overall wellness, matcha ticks the boxes. Matcha is also renowned for its aesthetic vivid green colour, distinct flavour and its plethora of health benefits. It’s now the fastest-growing tea worldwide.
- Mango Passion Iced Matcha – 15ml Simply Mango Puree + 15ml Simply Passion Fruit Puree
- Spicy Mango Iced Matcha
- Blueberry Cloud Iced Matcha
Lemon Drizzle Iced Matcha
Bakery Inspired Beverages
Dessert-inspired beverages are taking the industry by storm. These drinks bring a sense of indulgence and comfort, especially when they tap into nostalgic flavours people know and love.
From creamy, familiar favourites to playful new twists, dessert drinks are a smart way to add excitement to your menu while giving customers that feel-good moment they’re craving.
Here are a few dessert-inspired drinks we’re loving for summer:
- Banana Bread Iced Matcha – 15ml Simply Banana Puree + 7.5ml Simply French Vanilla Syrup
- Sicilian Lemon Drizzle Iced Matcha
- Pistachio Cookie Frappe
- Cherry Bakewell Iced Matcha
Tiramisu Iced Chocolate
Iced Favourites
The iced latte has solidified its spot as a year-round favourite, ranking as the 5th most popular beverage choice in coffee shops. According to the Allegra Project Café UK 2024 report, 43% of industry leaders believe iced coffee is in demand year-round
The recent popularity of iced chocolate is part of the broader rise in indulgent and iced beverages for 2025. Consumers seek rich, treat-like options that combine nostalgia with a sense of luxury. Iced chocolate drinks, often enhanced with speciality ingredients like dark chocolate, flavoured syrups, or toppings, align perfectly with this demand for beverage indulgence and creativity.
Here are our top iced serves for the summer season:
- Lavender Iced White Chocolate – 15ml SIMPLY Lavender Syrup
- Tiramisu Iced Chocolate
- Cherry Coconut Iced Latte – 7.5ml Simply Cherry Syrup + 7.5ml Simply Coconut Syrup
- Sicilian Lemon Espresso Tonic – 15ml Simply Sicilian Lemon Syrup
Quick Serve Summer
SIMPLY Smoothies and Coolers makes serving a fresh, fruity drinks easier than ever.
SIMPLY Smoothies: Just blend with ice – no prep, no fuss. Made with real fruit purée, each flavour delivers a bold, natural taste with minimal ingredients needed. Even better? They’re ambient until opened, so you can say goodbye to freezer-hogging fruit and hello to more space and less waste.
SIMPLY Coolers: Just add 30ml to any beverage. Create cocktails, refresher style drinks, flavoured lemonades or even fruit flavoured slushies in seconds!
Here are our top quick serve flavour picks for the summer season:
- Raspberry and Hibiscus Lemonade
- Tropical Heat Spritz
- Mango and Passion Fruit Smoothie
- Peach and Passion Fruit Lemonade
- Frozen Tropical Margarita
Simply Top Tip: One flavour can inspire a variety of refreshing drinks – why not try creating a summer flavour collection, for example, tropical, with a mango iced matcha, tropical frappe, and mango and passion fruit smoothie?
Find all our summer recipes here!
Looking for more inspiration?
Sign up for our emails to find out more exciting news from IBC Simply!
